Pit Crew Shakeup Aims to Boost Playoff Hopes for Briscoe and Berry

As the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs enter the Round of 12, Stewart-Haas Racing is making strategic changes to the pit crews of two of its drivers, Chase Briscoe and Josh Berry. The goal is to give both teams the best chance of advancing to the next round and ultimately competing for the championship.

Swapping Pit Crews to Maximize Playoff Potential

Briscoe's Pit Crew Overhaul

Ahead of the crucial Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, Chase Briscoe's No. 14 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will be serviced by a new pit crew. The crew that had been working on Briscoe's car will now be responsible for Josh Berry's machine, while Briscoe's team will take over the duties for Berry's No. 4 car.This strategic move by Stewart-Haas Racing aims to provide Briscoe, who remains firmly in the fight for the championship, with a more experienced and cohesive pit crew. The new crew, which has been servicing Berry's car this season, will be tasked with executing flawless pit stops to help Briscoe maintain his position and potentially gain ground on his playoff rivals.The new pit crew for Briscoe's car includes Front Changer Daniel Coffey, Rear Changer Daniel Smith, Tire Carrier Mason Flynt, Jackman Brandon Banks, and Fueler Evan Marchal. This experienced group will be expected to deliver lightning-fast pit stops and contribute to Briscoe's quest for a championship.

Berry's Pit Crew Shuffle

As for Josh Berry, the Rookie of the Year contender will now be serviced by a new pit crew. This crew, previously responsible for Briscoe's car, will now be tasked with ensuring smooth pit stops for Berry's No. 4 machine.The new pit crew for Berry's car includes Front Changer Shayne Pipala, Rear Changer Dakota Ratcliff, Tire Carrier Jon Bernal, Jackman Kapil Fletcher, and Fueler Corey Coppola. This change aims to provide Berry, who is not part of the playoff field, with a dedicated and focused pit crew that can help him maximize his performance and potentially secure strong finishes in the remaining races.

Playoff Implications and Recent Performances

Briscoe's performance in the playoffs has been a mixed bag so far. After a solid eighth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, he had to rally from a pit road miscue that dropped him to around 15th in the running order. Prior to the issue, Briscoe had been running inside the top five, showcasing his potential.Despite the setback, Briscoe was able to work his way back into the top five by Lap 358 and ultimately finished eighth, which was enough to advance him to the Round of 12. This resilience and ability to recover from adversity will be crucial as Briscoe looks to make a deep playoff run.On the other hand, Josh Berry, who is not part of the playoff field, has been able to provide valuable data and insights to the Stewart-Haas Racing team. By swapping the pit crews, the organization aims to give both Briscoe and Berry the best chance of success in the remaining races, with Briscoe focused on advancing in the playoffs and Berry aiming to secure strong finishes and gain valuable experience.

The Road Ahead

As the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue, the Round of 12 will take the drivers to Talladega Superspeedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, where the field will be trimmed from 12 contenders to just eight. The changes to the pit crews for Briscoe and Berry could prove to be a crucial factor in their respective performances and the overall success of the Stewart-Haas Racing team.The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, the opening race of the Round of 12, will be a crucial test for both Briscoe and Berry. With the new pit crews in place, the teams will be under pressure to execute flawless pit stops and provide their drivers with the best possible chance of success. The race will be televised on USA Network, with streamable coverage available on the NBC Sports App, and the live radio call will be provided by the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.